Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Lebanon
Used American cars are the backbone of Lebanon's roads, and Beirut is their gateway. Weekly East Coast departures, duty assessed by value and engine size plus 11% VAT, and landed costs confirmed in writing before you book.
Lebanon at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,800+
- Ocean transit
- 20–28 days (East Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Beirut
- Import duty + VAT
- By value & engine + 11% VAT
- Market share
- U.S. used cars dominate
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Lebanon: What You Need to Know
Lebanon is one of the oldest markets for American cars in the Mediterranean — used U.S. vehicles make up the bulk of what drives on Lebanese roads, and the Port of Beirut remains the country's vehicle gateway, with container service restored and running on weekly schedules from the U.S. East Coast. Customs are assessed on declared value and engine size, topped by 11% VAT, with the schedule favoring smaller engines and sensibly priced stock.
The trade has adapted to Lebanon's economic realities: buyers favor clean, modest U.S. sedans and crossovers that hold value, transactions are documented carefully, and our team confirms the total landed cost in writing before any booking is accepted. Classic American cars remain importable and enjoy a devoted local following — Beirut's collector scene is among the most enthusiastic in the region, and 1960s–80s Detroit metal commands real premiums.
Key takeaway
Expect duty assessed on value and engine size plus 11% VAT — smaller engines pay meaningfully less. Get a written landed-cost confirmation per VIN before buying; we provide one within a business day, and it holds through booking.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Lebanon
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Beirut | 20–28 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Beirut | 22–30 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Beirut | 27–35 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Lebanon from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to Lebanon, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches Lebanon fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to Lebanon
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $1,800 – $2,600 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $3,000 – $4,200 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $4,000 – $5,600 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | Custom quote | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Estimate your landed cost to Lebanon →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentLebanon Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | By value & engine | 11% | Smaller engines pay less |
| Classic American cars | By assessed value | 11% | Importable, devoted local market |
| Motorcycles | By engine size | 11% | Low totals on small bikes |
| Heavy machinery | Varies | 11% | Category dependent |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Want certainty before you wire a cent?
On the Lebanon lane we put everything in writing first: freight, port fees, customs by value and engine size, and 11% VAT — a single landed-cost figure per VIN, delivered within one business day and honored at booking. No surprises at Beirut.
What We Ship to Lebanon
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Lebanon's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Lebanon.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Lebanon.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Lebanon
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Lebanon Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
20–28 days (East Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Beirut.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Lebanon. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Lebanese customs are assessed on declared value and engine size, topped by 11% VAT — the schedule favors smaller engines and sensibly priced stock. There's no single flat rate, so a small sedan and a big V8 land very differently. We confirm the total landed cost in writing per VIN within one business day, and it holds through booking — no surprises at Beirut.
Yes — used American cars remain the backbone of Lebanon's roads, and container service to the Port of Beirut runs weekly from the U.S. East Coast. The trade has adapted: buyers favor clean, modest U.S. sedans and crossovers that hold value, and transactions are documented carefully. We confirm the full landed cost in writing before accepting any booking, so the math is settled before you commit.
Very — Beirut's collector scene is among the most enthusiastic in the region. Classic American cars remain importable and enjoy a devoted local following, with 1960s–80s Detroit metal commanding real premiums. Duty is assessed on the appraised value plus 11% VAT. We load classics in dedicated or shared containers with full condition documentation, and confirm the landed cost before booking.
About 20–28 days from the East Coast. We sail weekly from New York/New Jersey and Savannah to the Port of Beirut, with biweekly service from Houston (27–35 days). Beirut is Lebanon's vehicle gateway, with container service restored and running on weekly schedules. We provide a written landed-cost figure per VIN before you buy and coordinate clearance on arrival.
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